Composition comprising the extract of actinidia arguta and related species for the prevention and treatment of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the extract of hardy kiwifruit as an active ingredient in an effective amount to treat and prevent allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease by reducing inflammation action, by inhibiting histamine release from mast cell, and by increasing the level of Th1 cytokines, IgG2a in serum and reducing the level of Th2 cytokines and IgE in serum. The present invention also provides a use of above extract for the preparation of pharmaceutical composition. The present invention also provides a health food or food additives, a cosmetic composition, a feed or feed additives comprising above extract for prevention or alleviation of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease by reducing inflammation action, by inhibiting histamine release from mast cell, and by increasing the level of Th1 cytokines, IgG2a in serum, and reducing the level of Th2 cytokines and IgE in serum.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/405,295 filed on Aug. 23, 2002, which was now abandoned.

DESCRIPTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an extract of Actinidia arguta and related species and a composition comprising the same having preventing and treating activity of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease.

2. Background of the Invention

Allergic diseases such as anaphylaxis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergies and urticaria, inflict up to 20% of the population in many countries and are increasing in prevalence (Wuthrich B., Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol., 90, pp 3-10, 1989).

Allergic diseases are mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE), while the type-2 T helper (Th2) cell, mast cell and eosinophil are proven to play important roles in that process (Maggi E., Immunotechnology, 3, pp 233-244, 1998; Pawankar R., Curr. Opin. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 1, pp 3-6, 2001; Vercelli D., Clin. Allergy Immunol., 16, pp 179-196, 2002).

Without helminth infection or other stimuli, IgE is normally one of abundant immunoglobulin isotypes found in human serum as well as several species of experimental animals (Maggi E., Immunotechnology, 3, pp 233-244, 1998; Coffman R L and Carty J., J. Immunotechnology, 136, pp 949-954, 1986). According to the “Th2 hypothesis”, IgE production is favored in the immunological condition in which humoral immunity mediated by Th2 cells and related cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, is predominant (Maggi E., Immunotechnology, 3, pp 233-244, 1998). The current view of the progress of allergic diseases is that genetic and environmental factors interact with each other, leading to the production of IL-4 through the Stat6-mediated signaling pathway and the activation of specific transcription factors such as c-Maf, GATA3, NP45 and NFATc in native T cells, and eventually resulting in the development of allergen-specific T helper 2 CD4+ cells. Once generated, allergen-activated Th2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. IL-4 and IL-5 induce the production of IgE and IgG1 by B cells as well as the stimulation of the development of eosinophils in bone marrow and their recruitment into inflamed tissues (Erb K. J.; Immunol. Today, 20, pp 317-322, 1999; Rothenberg M E., N. Engl. J. Med., 338, pp 1592-1600, 1998). IL-13 is a cytokine closely related to IL-4 and binds to the IL4 receptor alpha chain inducing allergic phenotypes independently of IL-4, IgE or eosinophils (Wills-Karp M., et al., Science, 282, pp 2258-2261, 1998; Grunig G., et al., Science, 282, pp 2261-2263, 1998).

Circulating IgE binds to two isoforms of IgE receptors: high-affinity IgE receptors (FCεRI) present on the surface of mast cells and basophils, and low affinity IgE receptors (Fcε838 RII or CD23) present on the surfaces of lymphocytes, eosinophils, platelets and macrophages. It is believed that the most important factor governing the pathogenesis of allergic disorders is the cross-linkage of IgE receptors on mast cells, after encountering allergen and the consequent degranulation of mast cells. The molecules released by mast cells include histamine, heparin, proteases and free radicals, which mediate a variety of biological effects including vasodilation, intestinal and/or bronchial smooth muscle contraction, mucous secretion and local proteolysis. Following initial immediate reaction of the mast cells, an influx of eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes occurs 6-24 hours later. This late-phase response can lead to chronic tissue inflammation continuously exposed to antigens.

Conventional drugs for the treatment of allergic disorders include anti-histamines, steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and leukotriene antagonists. These drugs are useful mainly for symptomatic effects, and fail to provide with such treatments that the fundamental cure of allergic diseases such as alleviating excessive humoral immunity or suppressing IgE production is required. The hypothesis that reducing serum IgE level could improve allergic symptoms was demonstrated by clinical trials of the chimeric anti-IgE antibody (CGP-51901) and recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (rhuMAB-E25) (Fahy J V et al., Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care. Med., 155, pp 1828-1834, 1997). Diacyl benzimidazole analogs and bacterial polysaccharides that inhibit IgE synthesis and secretion have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,091 and U.S. Patent Application No. 20020041885, respectively.

The only method for findamental treatment of allergy is carrying out immunotherapy or desensitization therapy. The inununotherapy is treatment method, which reduces hypersensitivity to allergic origin and improves allergic symptom by administering refined allergen for long period to allergic patient with gradually increasing their dosage. After their introduction in 1911, the immunotherapy has been used for treatment of allergic disease such as allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, bee poisoning and so on by using antigen-specific IgE antibody. Major mechanism reducing hypersensitivity has not been clearly found yet, but it is known that increase of IgG concentration while reducing IgE concentration induces normal immunity reaction.

Actinidia arguta, A. polygama, and A. kolomikta belonged to Actinidiaceae, are distributed in Siberia, the northern area of China, North and South Korea. More than 30 species belonged to Actinidiaceae has been reported. Among those, the fruit of A. chinensis or A. delicious have been named as kiwi and Actinidia arguta and other same genus fruit have been used as materials of Chinese medicine named as ‘mihudo’ to treat liver disease, gastrointestinal disease and urogenital lithiasis without toxicity (Seoul National University Natural Products Science, Tradi-Medi Data Base, dongbang media Co. Ltd. 1999). However, there have been no report or suggestion about the treatment and prevention of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease using by Actinidia fruit.

Meanwhile, there has been concentrated effort to investigate effective anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory natural products.

Korea Patent Application No. 92-11752 disclosed an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-rheumatic drug comprising biflavonoid such as 4′-O-methyl ochnaflavone isolated from Lonicera japonica, which shows various allergy or inflammation treating activity. Korea Patent Registration No. 100744 disclosed anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-rheumatic drug comprising several biflavonoid compounds isolated from the leaves of Ginko biloba. Several Oriental medicine recipes comprising Siegesbeckia glabrescens have been reported to have IgE-reducing activity (Kim H. M et al., Phytother: Res., 15, pp 572-576, 2001). Furthermore, lots of medicinal herbs have been found to be rich sources of histamine release inhibitors or anti-inflammatory drugs.

However, there has been not reported or disclosed about anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory action of hardy kiwifruit extract in any of above literatures.

To investigate an anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory drugs among Chinese herbs, the inventors of the present invention have intensively carried out in vivo and in vitro experiments concerning the effects of hardy kiwifruit extract on the change of Th1/T2 cytokines and IgE, IgG subtype in human serum as well as inhibition test of histamine release from mice peritoneal mast cells and rat paw edema test.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the extract of hardy kiwifruit as an active ingredient in an effective amount to treat and prevent allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease by reducing inflammation action, by inhibiting histamine release from mast cell, and by increasing the level of Th1 cytokines, IgG2a in serum and reducing the level of Th2 cytokines and IgE in serum.

The present invention also provides a use of above extract for the preparation of pharmaceutical composition to treat and prevent allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease in mammal or human.

The present invention also provides a health food or food additives comprising above extract for prevention or alleviation of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease by reducing inflammation action, by inhibiting histamine release from mast cell, and by increasing the level of Th1 cytokines, IgG2a in serum, and reducing the level of Th2 cytokines and IgE in serum.

The present invention also provides a feed or feed additives comprising above extract for treatment and prevention of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease by reducing inflammation action, by inhibiting histamine release from mast cell, and by increasing the level of Th1 cytokines, IgG2a in serum, and reducing the level of Th2 cytokines and IgE in serum.

The present invention also provides a cosmetic composition comprising above extract as an active ingredient in an effective amount to treat, prevent and improve allergic skin disease and non-allergic inflammatory skin inflammation disease by reducing inflammation action, by inhibiting histamine release from mast cell, and by increasing the level of Th1 cytokines, IgG2a in serum, and reducing the level of Th2 cytokines and IgE in serum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 a shows TLC photograph of the extracts and fractions of hardy kiwifruit;

FIG. 1 b shows 2D-TLC photograph of [1] sub-fraction;

FIG. 1 c shows 2D-TLC photograph of [2] sub-fraction;

FIG. 2 a presents result about symptom of skin itching, which investigated at the 12 weeks after administration the hardy kiwifruit extract in the Nc/Nga mouse having atopic dermatitis;

FIG. 2 b presents result about symptom of skin itching, which investigated at the 14 weeks after administration the hardy kiwifruit extract in the Nc/Nga mouse having atopic dermatitis;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pharmaceutical composition comprising the crude extract or non-polar solvent soluble extract of the hardy kiwifruit as an active ingredients for treatment and prevention of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a use of a crude extract or non-polar solvent soluble extract of the hardy kiwifruit for the preparation of therapeutic agent for treatment and prevention of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease in human or mammal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of treating or preventing allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of crude extract or non-polar solvent soluble extract of the hardy kiwifruit, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a health food or food additives comprising above extract, together with a sitologically acceptable additive for prevention and improvement of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an animal feed or feed additives comprising above extract as essential components for treatment, prevention, and improvement of allergic disease and non-allergic skin inflammatory disease.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cosmetic composition comprising above extract for prevention and improvement of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease.

Above described allergic disease or allergic skin disease comprise anaphylaxis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic dermnatitis, atopic dermatitis, contagious dermatitis, urticaria, insect allergies, food allergies and drug allergies.

Above described non-allergic skin inflammation disease comprise various skin trouble caused by inflammation such as pimple, acne and the like.

Above described cosmetic composition comprising the hardy kiwifruit extract having preventing and improving activity of skin inflammation.

Above described pharmaceutical composition for treatment and prevention of allergic disease can be used for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of allergy immunotheraphy.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the crude extract or non-polar solvent soluble extract of the hardy kiwifruit as active ingredients for allergic immunotheraphy helper.

Also, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the crude extract or non-polar solvent soluble extract of hardy kiwifruit for treatment and prevention of non-allergic inflammatory disease.

Above described non-allergic inflammatory disease comprise various dermatitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), retinal inflammation, gastritis, retinopathy, hepatitis, enteritis, pancreatitis, nephritis and so on.

Above hardy kiwifruit may comprises Actinidia arguta, A. kolomikta, A. polygama or and the same genus plant and may use the fruit, stem and root thereof

Above crude extract of hardy kiwifruit can be obtained by using water, lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and the like, or the mixtures thereof, preferably distilled water or 70% ethanol soluble extract and above non-polar solvent soluble extract therefrom can be obtained by using non polar solvent such as hexane, ethyl acetate or dichloromethane solvent.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can contain about 0.01˜50% by weight of the above extract based on the total weight of the composition.

The health food of the present invention comprises above extracts as 0.01 to 80%, preferably 1 to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

Above health food can be contained in health food, health beverage etc, and may be used as powder, granule, tablet, chewing tablet, capsule, beverage etc.

An inventive extract from the hardy kiwifruit may be prepared in accordance with the following preferred embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention is described in detail.

An inventive extract of hardy kiwifruit can be prepared in detail by following procedures,

The inventive crude extract of hardy kiwifruit can be prepared by follows; hardy kiwifruit is dried and crushed; crushed hardy kiwifruit is mixed with 5 to 25-fold, preferably, approximately 10 fold volume of distilled water, lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, butanol and the like, or the mixtures thereof, preferably water or 70% ethanol; the solution is treated with hot water at the temperature ranging from 20 to 100° C., preferably from 60 to 100° C., for the period ranging from 1 to 24 hours with extraction method by the extraction with hot water, cold water, reflux extraction, or ultra-sonication, with 1 to 5 times, preferably 2 to 3 times, consecutively; the residue is filtered to obtain the supernatant to be concentrated with rotary evaporator, at the temperature ranging from 20 to 100° C., preferably from 50 to 70° C. and then dried by vacuum freeze-drying, hot air-drying or spray drying to obtain dried crude extract powder of the hardy kiwifruit which can be soluble in water, lower alcohols, or the mixtures thereof.

The above crude extract of the hardy kiwifruit is stored in −20° C. to use as a sample by dissolving in distilled water to adjust to certain concentration.

Additionally, non-polar solvent soluble extract of present invention can be prepared by following procedure; the crude extract prepared by above step, is suspended with water, and then is mixed with 1 to 100-fold, preferably, 1 to 5-fold volume of non polar solvent such as ethyl acetate, chloroform, hexane and the like; the non-polar solvent soluble layer is collected to obtain non-polar solvent soluble extract of the present invention.

Also, above described procedures may be modified or subjected further step to fractionate or isolate to obtain more effective fractions or compounds by the procedure well-known in the art, for example, the procedure disclosed in the literature (Harborne J. B., A guide to modern techniques of plant analysis, 3^(rd) Ed. pp 6-7, 1998).

To investigate the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activity of the hardy kiwifruit extract prepared by above procedure, in vivo and in vitro experiments such as ELISA method to determine the level of Th1/Th2 cytokines and IgE, IgG subtype in serum, inhibition test of histamine release from mast cells and anti-inflammation assay to test the effects of inventive extract was carried out and then it is confirmed that inventive extract shows excellent anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Specifically, the reduction of allergen specific-IgE and the increase of allergen specific-IgG2a has been main purpose in immunotherapy field, the only one present fundamental treatment of allergic disease and through above experiments, therefore, it is confirmed that hardy kiwifruit can increase treating efficiency if it is used with immunotherapy as an allergic immunotheraphy aid.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising the hardy kiwifrit extract prepared by above preparation method for the treatment and prevention of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammation disease as active ingredients.

It is another of the present invention to provide a treating and preventing method comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising said extract prepared by above preparation method to allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease of mammals including human.

The composition for treating and preventing allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease may comprises above extracts as 0.01˜50% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

The inventive composition may additionally comprise conventional carrier, adjuvant or diluents in accordance with conventional using method well known in the art.

Hereinafter, the following formulation methods and excipients are merely exemplary and in no way limit the invention.

The composition according to the present invention can be provided as a pharmaceutical composition containing pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants or diluents, e.g., lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, starches, acacia rubber, alginate, gelatin, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, water, methylhydroxy benzoate, propylhydroxy benzoate, talc, magnesium stearate and mineral oil. The formulations may additionally include fillers, anti-agglutinating agents, lubricating agents, wetting agents, flavoring agents, emulsifiers, preservatives and the like. The compositions of the invention may be formulated so as to provide quick, sustained or delayed release of the active ingredient after their administration to a patient by employing any of the procedures well known in the art.

For example, the compositions of the present invention can be dissolved in oils, propylene glycol or other solvents that are commonly used to produce an injection. Suitable examples of the carriers include physiological saline, polyethylene glycol, ethanol, vegetable oils, isopropyl myristate, etc., but are not limited to them. For topical administration, the compounds of the present invention can be formulated in the form of ointments and creamns.

Pharmaceutical formulations containing present composition may be prepared in any form, such as oral dosage form (powder, tablet, capsule, soft capsule, aqueous medicine, syrup, elixirs pill, powder, sachet, granule), or topical preparation (cream, ointment, lotion, gel, balm, patch, paste, spray solution, aerosol and the like), or injectable preparation (solution, suspension, emulsion).

The composition of the present invention in pharmaceutical dosage forms may be used in the form of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and also may be used alone or in appropriate association, as well as in combination with other pharmaceutically active compounds.

The desirable dose of the inventive extract or composition varies depending on the condition and the weight of the subject, severity, drug form, route and period of administration, and may be chosen by those skilled in the art. However, in order to obtain desirable effects, it is generally recommended to administer at the amount ranging 10 g/kg, preferably, 1 to 3 g/kg by weight/day of the inventive extract of the present invention. The dose may be administered in single or divided into several times per day. In terms of composition, the amount of inventive extract should be present between 0.01 to 95% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 80% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

The pharmaceutical composition of present invention can be administered to a subject animal such as mammals (rat, mouse, domestic animals or human) via various routes. All modes of administration are contemplated, for example, administration can be made orally, rectally or by intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intrathecal, epidural or intracerebroventricular injection.

Also, the present invention provide a composition of the health food beverage for prevention and improvement of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammation disease adding the hardy kiwifruit 0.01 to 20% by weight, amino acids 0.001 to 5% by weight, vitamins 0.001 to 2% by weight, sugars 0.001 to 20% by weight, organic acids 0.001 to 10% by weight, sweetener and flavors of proper amount.

Above the extract of hardy kiwi fruit can be added to food and beverage for the prevention and improvement of allergic disease and non-allergic inflammatory disease.

To develop for health food, examples of addable food comprising above extracts of the present invention are e.g., various food, beverage, gum, vitamin complex, health improving food and the like, and can be used as power, granule, tablet, chewing tablet, capsule or beverage etc.

Also, the extract of present invention will be able to prevent, and improve allergic disease and non-allergic inflammation disease by comprising to child and infant food, such as modified milk powder, modified milk powder for growth period, modified food for growth period.

Above described composition therein can be added to food, additive or beverage, wherein, the amount of above described extract in food or beverage may generally range from about 0.1 to 95 w/w %, preferably 1 to 80 w/w % of total weight of food for the health food composition and 1 to 30 g, preferably 3 to 10 g on the ratio of 100 ml of the health beverage composition.

Providing that the health beverage composition of present invention contains above described extract as an essential component in the indicated ratio, there is no particular limitation on the other liquid component, wherein the other component can be various deodorant or natural carbohydrate etc such as conventional beverage. Examples of aforementioned natural carbohydrate are monosaccharide such as glucose, fructose etc; disaccharide such as maltose, sucrose etc; conventional sugar such as dextrin, cyclodextrin; and sugar alcohol such as xylitol, and erydiritol etc. As the other deodorant than aforementioned ones, natural deodorant such as taumatin, stevia extract such as levaudioside A, glycyrrhizin et al., and synthetic deodorant such as saccharin, aspartam et al., may be useful favorably. The amount of above described natural carbohydrate is generally ranges from about 1 to 20 g, preferably 5 to 12 g in the ratio of 100 ml of present beverage composition.

The other components than aforementioned composition are various nutrients, a vitamin, a mineral or an electrolyte, synthetic flavoring agent, a coloring agent and improving agent in case of cheese chocolate et al., pectic acid and the salt thereof, alginic acid and the salt thereof, organic acid, protective colloidal adhesive, pH controlling agent, stabilizer, a preservative, glycerin, alcohol, carbonizing agent used in carbonate beverage et al. The other component than aforementioned ones may be fruit juice for preparing natural fruit juice, fruit juice beverage and vegetable beverage, wherein the component can be used independently or in combination. The ratio of the components is not so important but is generally range from about 0 to 20 w/w % per 100 w/w % present composition. Examples of addable food comprising aforementioned extract therein are various food, beverage, gum, vitamin complex, health improving food and the like.

The inventive composition may additionally comprise one or more than one of organic acid, such as citric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, lactic acid, malic acid; phosphate, such as phosphate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, acid pyrophosphate, polyphosphate; natural anti-oxidants, such as polyphenol, catechin, α-tocopherol, rosemary extract, vitamin C, green tea extract, licorice root extract, chitosan, tannic acid, phytic acid etc.

The above extract of the hardy kiwifruit may be 20 to 90% high concentrated liquid, power, or granule.

Similarly, the above extract of the hardy kiwifruit can comprise additionally one or more than one of lactose, casein, dextrose, glucose, sucrose and sorbitol.

Also, in the present invention, there is also provided a using method of the food additives such as sterilizer, spice, seasoning, various nutrients, vitamin, a mineral or an electrolyte, synthetic flavoring agent, a coloring agent and improving agent in case of cheese chocolate et al., pectic acid and the salt thereof, alginic acid and the salt thereof, organic acid, protective colloidal adhesive, pH controlling agent, stabilizer, a preservative, glycerin, alcohol, carbonizing agent used in carbonate beverage et al, or as essential component of food materials.

Wherein the food additives can be added to food by deposition, spray, or mixing the ratio of the additives is not so important but it generally range fiom about 0.01 to 20 w/w % per 100 w/w % present composition. Examples of addable food comprising aforementioned extract therein are.

Wherein the food additives can be added to one or one over food such as fruits, vegetables, food dehydrated foods or cutting products such as fruits, vegetables; fruit juice, vegetable juices or the mixture juices thereof; drinks containing acid-beverage; confectionaries such as cookie, candy, caramel, gum; breads; ice creams, teas, fermented milk such as yogurt; dairy product, spices, alcoholic beverages, cans, in-bottles, noodles, processed livestock products, processed marine products, fermented food, beans food, cereals food, processed meats, licorices or hubs.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there are provided a feed or feed additive essentially comprising said extract prepared by above preparation method for prevention and improvement allergic disease and non-allergic disease.

Above food additives is characterize of mixing amount of 5 to 100 g per 1 kg by weight based on the total dried weight of the feed.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a feed composition comprising above feed additives.

Also, the present invention also provides a cosmetic composition comprising an effective amount of the crude extract or non-polar solvent soluble extract of hardy kiwifruit for prevention and improvement of allergic disease or non-allergic inflammatory disease.

The present cosmetic composition provide cosmetic composition comprising the above extracts with 0.01 to 30%, more preferably, 0.01to 5% by the weight of the inventive composition based on the total weight of the composition for the treatment, prevention, and improvement allergic skin disease and non-allergic skin inflammation disease.

The other components may be a mixture of the ingredients of a conventional cosmetic composition well known in the art.

Cosmetic formulations containing above composition may be prepared in any form such as skin, lotion, cream, essence, toner, emulsion, pack, soup, shampoo, rinse, cleanser, body washing solution, washing solution, treatment, gel, balm, spray solution and the like.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention can comprises additional additives selected from the group consisting of water soluble vitamin, lipid soluble vitamin, peptide polymer, polysaccharide polymer, sphingolipid and sea-weed extract.

Preferable water soluble vitamins are any one which can be mixed with cosmetic, however, various vitamin such as vitamin B1, B2, B6, pyridoxine, pyridoxine HCl, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin H etc, their salt thereof such as thiamin HCl salt, ascorbic acid Na salt etc or their derivatives thereof such as ascorbic acid-2-phosphonic acid Na salt, ascorbic acid-2-phosphonic acid Mg salt are preferable and those can be obtained by conventional method such as microbial conversion method, purification method from the microbial cultivates, enzymatic method or chemical synthetic method.

Preferable lipid soluble vitamins are any one which can be mixed with cosmetic, however, various vitamin such as vitamin A, D2, D3, E (dl-α-tocopherol, d-α-tocopherol, d-67 -tocopherol) and their derivatives such as palmitic acid ascorbate, stearic acid ascorbate, dipalmnitic acid ascorbate, acetic acid-dl-α-tocopherol, nicotinic acid dl-α-tocopherol vitamin E, dl-pantothenyl alcohol, D-pantothenyl alcohol, pantothenyl ethylether etc. containing the lipid soluble vitamin used in examples of present invention are preferable and those can be obtained by conventional method such as microbial conversion method, purification method from the microbial cultivates, enzymatic method or chemical synthetic method

Preferable peptide polymers are any one which can be mixed with cosmetic, however, collagen, hydrolysable collagen, gelatin, elastin, hydrolysable gelatin, keratin etc. containing the peptide polymer used in examples of present invention are preferable.

Preferable polysaccharide polymers are any one which can be mixed with cosmetic, however, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, xanthin gum, hyaluronic acid Na, chondroitin sulfate or their salt (Na salt etc) and the like are preferable. For example, chondroitin sulfate or the salt thereof etc can be used by being purified from mammal or fishes ordinarily.

Preferable sphingolipid are any one, which can be mixed with cosmetic, however, ceramide, pit-sphingosin, sphingo-lipopolysaccharide and the like are preferable. Sphingo-lipid can be obtained by being purified from mammal, fish, shellfish, yeast or plant etc in conventional method.

Preferable seaweed extract is any one which can be mixed with cosmetic, however, the extract of brown algae, red algae, green algae and the like or the purified carrageenan, alginic acid, arginic acid Na, K isolated therefrom are preferable. Algae extract can be obtained by being purified from seaweed in conventional method.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention may combine with other ingredients combined with conventional cosmetic composition, if necessary, together with above described essential ingredient.

Preferable above described other ingredients may comprises oil ingredient, humectants, emollients, surface active agents, organic or inorganic dye, organic powder, ultraviolet ray absorbing agent, preservatives, antiseptics, antioxidants, plant extract, pH controller, alcohol, pigments, perfumes, refrigerants, blood circulator, antihidrotic, distilled water etc.

Preferable oil ingredients may comprise ester oil, hydrocarbon oil, silicone oil, fluoride oil, animal oil, plant oil and so on.

Preferable ester oil described above may comprise glyceryl tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, isopropyl myristic acid, butyl myristic acid, isopropyl palmitic acid, ethyl stearic acid, octyl palmitic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, butyl stearic acid, ethyl linoleic acid, isopropyl linoleic acid, ethyl oleic acid, isocetyl myristic acid, isostearyl myristic acid, isostearyl palmitic acid, octyldodecyl myristic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, diethyl sebasic acid, isopropyl adipic acid, isoalkyl neopetanoic acid, glyceryl tri(capryl, capric acid), trimethylopropane tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, trimethylopropane triisostearic acid, pentaerythritol tetra-2 ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl caprylic acid, decyl lauric acid, hexyl lauric acid, decyl myristic acid, myristyl myristic acid, cetyl myristic acid, stearyl stearic acid, decyl oleic acid, cetyl licinoleic acid, isostearyl lauric acid, isotridecyl myristic acid, isocetyl palmitic acid, octyl stearic acid, isocetyl stearic acid, isodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl linoleic acid, isopropyl isostearic acid, cetostearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, stearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, hexyl isostearic acid, ethylene glycol dioctanoic acid, ethylene glycol dioleic acid, propylene glycol dicapric acid, propylene glycol di(capryl, capric acid), propylene glycol dicaprylic acid, neopentylglycol dicapric acid, neopentylglycol dioctanoic acid, glyceryl tricaprylic acid, glyceryl triundecylic acid, glyceryl triisopalmitic acid, glyceryl triisostearic acid, octyldodecyl neopentanoic acid, isostearyl octanoic acid, octyl isononanoic acid, hexyldecyl neodecanoic acid, octyldodecyl neodecanoic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, isostearyl isostearic acid, octyldecyl isostearic acid, polyglycerin oleanoic acid ester, polyglycerin isostearic acid ester, triisocetyl citric acid, triisoalkyl citric acid, triisooctyl citric acid, lauryl lactic acid, myristyl lactic acid, cetyl lactic acid, octyldecyl lactic acid, triethyl citric acid, acetyltriethyl citric acid, acetyl tributyl citric acid, trioctyl citric acid, diisostearyl maleic acid, di 2-ethylhexyl hydroxy stearic acid, 2-ethyl hexyl succinic acid, diisobutyl adipic acid, diisopropyl sebasinic acid, dioctyl sebacinic acid, cholesteryl stearic acid, cholesteryl isostearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl oleic acid, dihydrocholesteryl oleic acid, pitsteryl isostearic acid, pitsteryl oleic acid, isocetyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, stearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, isostearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid.

Preferable hydrocarbon oil described above may comprise squalene, liquid paraffin, α-olefin oligomer, isoparaffin, ceresin, paraffin, liquid isoparaffin, polybuden, microcrystalline wax, vaselin and the like.

Preferable silicone oil may comprise polymethylsilicone, methylphenylsilicone, metbylcyclopolysiloxane, octamethylpolysiloxane, decamethylpolysiloxane, dodecamnethylcyclosiloxane, dimethyl siloxane-methyl cetyloxysiloxane copolymer, dimethyl siloxane-methyl stealloxysiloxane copolymer, alkyl modified silicone oil, amino modified silicone oil and the like.

Preferable fluoride oil can comprise perfluoropolyether and the like.

Preferable animal or plant oil can comprise avocado oil, almond oil, olive oil, sesame oil, rice husk oil, safflower oil, soy-bean oil, corn oil, rape oil, amygdalin oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, pimaja oil, sunflower oil, fruite seed oil, cotton seed oil, coconut palm oil cucui nut oil, wheat embryo bud oil, rice embryo bud oil, sia butter, evening-primrose oil, marker daymia nut oil, medo home oil, egg yolk oil, lanolin, hempseed oil, mink oil, orange ruppy oil, hohoba oil, carnawa wax, liquid lanolin, solid pimaja wax and the like.

Preferable humectants can comprise water-soluble low molecular humectants, lipophilic low molecular humectants, water-soluble polymer and lipid soluble polymer.

Specifically, preferable water soluble low molecular humectants can comprise cerin, glutamine, sorbitol, mannitol, pyrrolidone-carboxylic acid Na, glycerin, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (polymerization index. >2), polypropylene glycol (polymerization index >2), lactic acid, lactate salt and the like.

Preferable lipid soluble low molecular humectants can comprise cholesterol, cholesteryl ester and the like.

Preferable water-soluble polymer can comprise carboxy vinyl polymer, poly asparaginic acid salt, tragacanth, xanthin gum, HMC (hydroxy methyl celluose), HEC (hydroxy ethyl celluose), HPC (hydroxy propyl celluose), carboxymethylcellulose, water-soluble chitin, chitosan, dextrin and the like.

Preferable lipid soluble polymer can comprise polyvinylpyrrolidone-eicocene copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone-hexadecene copolymer, nitrocellulose, dextrin fatty acid ester, silicone polymer and the like.

Preferable emollients can comprise long chain acyl glutamic acid cholesteryl ester, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, rogic acid, lanolin fatty acid cholesteryl ester and the like.

Preferable surface-active agent can comprise nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphivalent surfactants and the like.

Specifically, preferable non-ionic surfactants can comprise self-emulsified monostearic acid glycerin, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, glycerin fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan fatty acid ester, POE sorbitan fatty acid ester, POE glycerin fatty acid ester, POE alkyl ether, POE fatty acid ester, POE solid pimaja oil, POE pimaja oil, POE-POP copolymer, POE-POP alkyl ether, polyether modified silicone, lauric acid alkanol amide, alkyl amine oxide, hydrogen addition soybean phospholipid and the like.

Preferable anionic surfactants can comprise fatty acid soap, α-acyl sulfonic acid salt, alkyl sulfonic acid salt, alkyl ally sulfonic acid, alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acid salt, alkyl sulfonic acid salt, POE alkylether sulfate salt, alkyl amide sulfate salt, alkyl phosphate salt, POE alkyl phosphate salt, alkylamide phospahate salt, alkyloylalkyl taurine salt, N-acyl-amino acid salt, POE alkyl ether carboxylic acid salt, alkyl sulfo succinic aid salt, alkyl sulfo-acetic acid salt, acylated hydrolysable collagen peptide salt, perfluoro alkyl phosphate ester and the like.

Preferable cationic surfactant can comprise alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, setostearyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, vehenyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, benzalkonium chloride, diethylamino ethyl arnide stearic acid, dimethylaminopropyl amide stearic acid, lanolin derivatives quatemary ammonium and the like.

Preferable ambivalent surfactants can comprise carboxy betaine type, amide betaine type, hydroxy sulfo betaine type, phosphpobetaine type, aminocarboxylic acid, imidazoline derivatives type, amide amine type and the like.

Preferable organic and inorganic dyes can comprise silicic acid, anhydrous silicic acid, magnesium silicic acid, talc, ceracyte, mica, kaolin, bengala, clay, bentonite, titan film mica, oxy chlorine bismuth, zirconium oxide, magnesiun oxide, zinc oxide, titan oxide, aluminium oxide, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, ferrous oxide, chromium oxide, chromium hydroxide, calamine, carbon black and the combination thereof as an inorganic dyes; polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, vinyl resin, urea resin, phenol resin, fluoride resin, silicone resin, acryl resin, melamine resin, epoxy resin, polycarbonate resin, divinyl benzene-styrene copolymer, silk powder, cellulose, CI pigmnent yellow, CI pigment orange as an organic dyes; and their complex etc.

Preferable organic powder can comprise metal soap such as calcium stearate; alkyl phosphonate metal salt such as sodium zinc cetylic acid, zinc laurylic acid, calcium laurylic acid; acylamino acid polyvalent metal salt such as calcium N-lauroyl-β-alanine, zinc N-lauroyl-β-alanine, calcium N-lauroyl-glycine etc.; amide sulfonic acid polyvalent metal salt such as calcium Nεlauroyl-taurine, calcium Nε-palmitoyl-taurine; palmitoyl ornitine, Nα-lauroly arginine, hardened lanolin fatty acid acyl arginine and the like; N-acylpolypeptide such as N-lauroylglycyl glycine; α-amino fatty acid such as α-amino caprylic acid, α-amino lauric acid and the like; polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polymethylmetacrylate, polystyrene, divinylbenzene-styrene copolymer, ethylene tetrafluoride and so on.

Preferable ultraviolet absorbing agents can comprise paraaminobenzoic acid, paraamonoethyl benzoate, paraamino amyl benzoate, paraamnino octyl benzoate, ethyleneglycol salicylate, phenyl salicylate, octyl salicylate, benzyl salicylate, butylphenyl salicylate, homomentyl salicylate, benzyl cinnamic acid, paramethoxy 2-ethoxy ethyl cinnamic acid, paramethoxy octyl cinnamic acid, diparamethoxy mono-2-ethylhexane glyceryl cinnamic acid, paramethoxy isopropyl cinnamic acid, diisopropyl -diisopropyl cinnamnate ester mixture, urokanic acid, ethyl urokanic acid, hydroxy methoxy benzophenone, hydroxymethoxy benzophenone sulfonic acid and the salt thereof, dihydroxy methoxy benzophenone, dihydroxy methoxy benzophenone disulfonate Na, dihydroxy benzophenone, tetrahydroxybenzophenone, 4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane, 2,4,6-trianilino-p-(carbo-2′-ethylhexyl-1′-oxy)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole and the like.

Preferable preservatives can comprise hinokitiol, trichloric acid, trichlorohydroxydiphenylether, chlorohexidine glucuronate, phenoxyethanol, resorcine, isopropylmethylphenol, azulene, salicylic acid, zinc pilithione, bezalconium HCl, photosensitizer 301, mononitroguaiacol Na, undecylenic acid etc.

Preferable antioxidants can comprise butylhydroxyanisole, propyl gallate, ellisorbate and the like.

Preferable pH controller can comprise citric acid, sodium citrate, malic acid, sodium malate, flmaric acid, sodium fumaric acid, succinic acid, sodium succinic acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium hydrogen phosphate and the like.

Preferable alcohol can comprise cetyl alcohol etc.

Furthermore, other ingredient addable to above described component and the amount thereof is not limited within the scope of the purpose and effect of the present invention, however, it is preferable that the amount of the other ingredients ranges from 0.01 to 5%, more preferably, 0.01 to 3% in that of total composition.

The cosmetic composition of the present invention can be modified as a solution, emulsion, cohesive mixture etc.

Above described ingredients such as water-soluble vitamin, lipid soluble vitamin, peptide polymer, polysaccharide polymer, sphingolipid, sea weed extract and addable ingredients which can be added other than above described ingredients if necessary, can be obtained by conventional methods disclosed in the literature (Matsumoto Mithio, Manual for the development of transdermal applied preparation. Seisi Press, 1 ^(st) Ed., 1985).

Additionally, the present invention also provides a cosmetic additives comprising above extract as an essential component for prevention or improvement of allergic disease and non-allergic disease.

Above cosmetic additives can be used by adding to existing cosmetics and washing solution to prevent, improve or treat allergic disease and non-allergic skin disease.

Furthermore, above cosmetic additives can be used to cream, lotion, message pack, and body washing solution, soup, shampoo and the like.

Inventive extract of the present invention have no toxicity and adverse effect therefor; they can be used with safe.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the compositions, use and preparations of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

The present invention is more specifically explained by the following examples. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these examples in any manner.

EXAMPLES

The following Examples and Experimental Examples are intended to further illustrate the present invention without limiting its scope.

Example 1 Preparation of Hardy Kiwifruit Extract

1-1. Preparation of Water Extract of Hardy Kiwifruit

100 g of dried hardy kiwifruit and dried stem of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta), dried fruit of A. kolomikta and A. polygama purchased from Kyung-dong Market located in Seoul was crushed, mixed with 1 L of distilled water and subjected to reflux extraction for 3 hrs at 90˜95° C. with three times and the extract was filtered with filter paper, concentrated using by rotary evaporator (N-1000, Eyela Co. Japan) at 55˜65° C. under reduced pressure and dried with freezing dryer to obtain 15.6 g of dried fruit extract, 10.4 g of dried stem extract of kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta), 16.2 g and 17.0 g of dried fruit extract of A. kolomikta, and A. polygama respectively. The dried powder was dissolved in distilled water (100 mg/ml).

1-2. Preparation of Water-alcohol Soluble Extract of Hardy Kiwifruit

Except using various mix ratio of water-alcohol solvent mixture such as 30%, 50%, and 70% ethanol solvent with as an extracting solvent, all the procedure was identical to those of Example 1-1. As a result, 11 g˜13 g of dried power of hardy kiwifruit was obtained at each ratio of solvent mixture and the dried powder was dissolved in distilled water (100 mg/ml).

Example 2 Preparation of Polar Solvent and Non-polar Solvent Soluble Hardy Kiwifruit Extract

The water extract prepared in Example 1-1 was subject to fractionation by following procedure.

2-1. Preparation of Chloroform Soluble Fraction

50 ml of distilled water was added to 5 g of hardy kiwifruit extract obtained in Example 1-1. 50 ml of chloroform was added thereto in separatory funnel, shaken vigorously to divide into chloroform soluble layer and water soluble layer.

2-2. Preparation of Ethyl Acetate Soluble Fraction

Above water soluble layer obtained in Example 1-1 was mixed with 50 ml of ethyl acetate and then divided into ethyl acetate soluble layer and water soluble layer.

Above chloroform soluble layer, ethyl acetate soluble layer and water layer were concentrated by rotary evaporator, dried with freeze dryer to obtain 0.34 g of chloroform soluble fraction, 0.05 g of ethyl acetate soluble fraction and 4.61 g of water fraction powders respectively.

Example 3 Fractionation of Hardy Kiwifruit Extract by Silica Gel Column Chromatography

2,784 mg of ethyl acetate soluble fraction in Example 2-2 was further subjected to silica gel column chromatography (Daiso gel IR-60-W-40:63 mm). The developing solvent was started with chloroform:methanol:water ([1] 90:11:1, [2] 60:10:1, [3] 60:20:2) solvent mixture and ended with methanol[4] with eluting speed of 300 ml/hr to obtain four sub-fractions([1] 2,381 mg, [2] 135 mg, [3] 148 mg, [4] 98 mg).

Above water extract, ethyl acetate soluble fraction and four sub-fractions were subjected to TLC (TLC plate: Merck Co. Ltd., Developing solvent; chloroform:methanol:water=9:5:1) and the results were shown in FIG. 1 a. As shown in FIG. 1 a, lane 1 is water extract, lane 2 is ethyl acetate soluble fraction, lane 3 is [4] sub-fraction, lane 4 is [3] sub-fraction, lane 5 is [2] sub-fraction and lane 6 is [1] sub-fraction.

Above [1] and [2] sub-fractions were subjected to 2D-TLC using chloroform:methanol:water (9:5:1) solvent mixture as a 1^(st) developer and chloroform:acetone:water (3:8:0.5) solvent mixture as a 2^(nd) developer (See FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c).

Experimental Example 1 Inhibition of IgE Production U266B1 Cell Line by Hardy Kiwifruit Extract

1-1. Effect of Hardy Kiwifruit Extract on IgE Production

To confirm the inhibitory effect of hardy kiwifruit extraction on IgE production, U266B1 cell (lymphoblastoma cell line) was used. U266B1 is cell line of human B cell, which produces IgE.

U266B1 cells (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.) was cultured at 37° C. under 5% CO₂ circumstances in 24-well culture plate containing RPMI-1640 medium (15% FBS, 2mM L-glutamine, 10 mM HEPES, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 50 μg streptomycin and 100 U/ml penicillin). Cells were adjusted at the concentration of 2×10⁵ cell/well and treated with LPS (2 μg/ml) and 100 μg/m of hardy kiwifruit extract prepared in Example 1-1 and 1-2. Control was treated with 2 μM dexamethasone or medium (RPMI-1640). After treatment, cells were cultured for 7 days and IgE concentration of medium was measured by ELISA kit (PharMingen; San Diego, Calif.).

As shown in the Table 1, all of the water extracts of hardy kiwifruit, A. kolomikta, and A. polygama showed the inhibitory effect on IgE production as much as dexamethasone(control). Also, hardy kiwifriit 70% ethanol extract showed the strongest activity among all the three kinds of inventive hardy kiwifruit alcohol extract. The stem extract of hardy kiwifruit showed similar effect to those of above hardy kiwifruit extracts. TABLE 1 LPS stimulation Treatment IgE (IU/ml) − Medium 187.8 ± 8.4 + Medium 392.9 ± 3.4 + Hardy kiwifruit water extract 228.8 ± 7.1 + Actinidia kolomikta water extract 233.2 ± 5.8 + Actinidia polygama water extract 211.7 ± 7.9 + Hardy kiwifruit stem extract 241.5 ± 5.8 + Hardy kiwifruit 30% ethanol extract 306.2 ± 16.5 + Hardy kiwifruit 50% ethanol extract 266.8 ± 17.0 + Hardy kiwifruit 70% ethanol extract 201.9 ± 27.6 + Dexamethasone 203.6 ± 30.9 1-2. Effect of Ethyl Acetate Soluble Fraction of Hardy Kiwifruit on IgE Production

To compare the inhibitory effect on IgE production of U266B1 cell, chloroform soluble fraction, ethyl acetate soluble fraction and water soluble fraction which were prepared in above Example 2 were subjected to the identical experiment disclosed in above Experimental Example 1-1.

The chloroform soluble fraction, ethyl acetate soluble fraction and water soluble fraction were treated to U266B1 cell line (at 30 μg/ml).

As shown in the Table 2, ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed stronger inhibitory effect on IgE production than that of Dexamethasone (control). TABLE 2 LPS stimulation Treatment IgE (IU/ml) − Medium 117.4 ± 7.6 + Medium 212.5 ± 11.8 + Hardy kiwifruit water extract 151.7 ± 11.9 + Chloroform fraction 206.7 ± 15.6 + Ethyl acetate fraction 123.3 ± 8.1 + Water fraction 218.9 ± 13.3 + Dexamethasone 138.9 ± 2.1 1-3. Effect of Silica Gel Column Chromatography Fraction on IgE Production

Silica gel column chromatography fraction [1], [2], [3]) and [4] prepared in Example 3 were subjected to the identical experiment disclosed in Experimental Example 1-1 to compare the inhibitory effect of IgE production on U266B1cell.

Silica gel column chromatography fraction [1], [2], [3] and [4] were treated to U266B 1 cell line (at 10 μg/ml).

As the result of Table 3, silica gel column chromatography fraction [1], [2] showed the inhibitory activity on IgE production. TABLE 3 LPS stimulation Treatment IgE (IU/ml) − Medium 379.7 ± 13.2 + Medium 540.4 ± 35.1 + Ethyl acetate fraction 298.1 ± 9.7 + Silica gel fraction 1 293.5 ± 12.5 + Silica gel fraction 2 307.6 ± 24.1 + Silica gel fraction 3 453.1 ± 17.3 + Silica gel fraction 4 396.9 ± 26.8 + Dexamethasone 277.6 ± 12.4

Experimental Example 2 Anti-allergic Effect of Hardy Kiwifruit Extract in Ovalbumin-sensitized Mouse Model

2-1. Preparation of Ovalbumin-sensitized Mouse Model

The ovalbumin-sensitized mouse model is commonly used as animal model of allergy. Female BALB/c mice, aged 6 weeks (Seoul national university animal experimental center) were adapted to the environment for 7 days. At the time of 7 weeks after birth, 100 μl of emulsion, mixed 25 μg of ovalbumin (chicken egg albumin, crude grade V, Sigma Co., Ltd.) with 2.25 mg of aluminum hydroxide (ImujectAlum, Pierce Co., Ltd.) was injected into mouse peritoneal cavity and 14 days after, it was injected once more for boosting.

And then 30 mice were divided into 3 groups and each group was orally administered with the hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1-1(300 μg/mouse/day), dexamethasone (10 μg/mouse/day), or drinking water (100 μg/mouse/day) for 11 days, respectively. On the 25th day, mice were sacrificed and blood serun and spleen was collected therefrom.

2-2. Concentration Analysis of Ovalbumin-specific IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b in Serum

In serum collected in Example 2-1, the serum levels of ovalbumin-specific IgE, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b were measured by ELISA kits (PharMingen Co., Ltd).

As shown in Table 4, it shows that relative concentration of each antibody of the ovalbumin-sensitized mouse to that of normal mouse. In the mouse administered with the water extract of hardy kiwifluit, ovalbumin-specific IgE level was decreased under ⅓ and IgG1 level was significantly decreased. The IgE and IgG1 level was similarly decreased in dexamethasone-administered mouse.

The IgG2a level associated with cellular immunity, was increased above 2 times in the mouse administered with the hardy kiwifruit water extract, however it was not increased in the dexamethasone-administered mouse.

It showed that the hardy kiwifruit extract could improve fundamental allergic constitution by decreasing IgE, which induces allergic symptoms, and increasing IgG2a related to normal immunity simultaneously. It is also clear that hardy kiwifluit can increase treatment efficiency when it is used with immunotherapy as an allergic immunotheraphy helper since the reduction of allergen specific-IgE and the increase of allergen specific-IgG2a have been their main purpose in immunotherapy field. TABLE 4 Drinking Hardy kiwifruit Normal water extract Dexamethasone IgE 1.0 ± 0.0 7.6 ± 0.2 2.2 ± 0.5 2.0 ± 0.6 IgG1 1.0 ± 0.0 5.1 ± 0.1 3.3 ± 0.3 3.1 ± 0.3 IgG2a 1.0 ± 0.1 2.1 ± 0.4 4.6 ± 0.3 1.9 ± 0.4 IgG2b 1.0 ± 0.0 1.4 ± 0.1 1.5 ± 0.2 1.2 ± 0.1 unit: pg/ml 2-3. Expression Analysis of Cytokines by Splenocytes

To analyze the expression of cytokines by the splenocytes of mouse administered with the hardy kiwifruit extract, splenocytes was prepared from spleen prepared in Example 2-1 as follows.

Each prepared splenocytes was pooled and homogenized under an aseptic condition.

Splenocytes were washed with RPMI-1640 medium, filtered through nylon mesh (60 μm pore size) to eliminate large clots, centrifuged (1500 rpm, 5 mins) to separate a precipitated cells, and then cells were added to RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS.

Splenocytes prepared as above were inoculated in 24-well plate (5×10⁶ cell/ml/well), treated with 100 μg/ml of ovalbumin, and incubated at 37° C. under an atmosphere containing 5% C0 ₂for 3 days. After cultivation was finished, a culture solution was gathered and then the concentration of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-12 and interferon-γ) related to allergy were measured by commercial ELISA kits.

As shown in the Table 5, splenocytes of mouse administered with the hardy kiwifruit extract had the decreased level of IL and IL-5 (which comes to Th2 cytokines that is to induce allergy) and has the increased level of IL -12 and interferon-γ (which comes to Th1 cytokines that is to repress allergy). In the case of dexamethasone-treated mouse, both of Th1 and Th2 cytokines were decreased. TABLE 5 OVA-stimulated mouse Normal Drinking Hardy kiwifruit mouse water extract Dexamethasone IL-4 21.6 ± 11.8 159.5 ± 15.7  76.5 ± 10.0 23.2 ± 8.7 IL-5 0.5 ± 0.8 2573.6 ± 42.0  1638.3 ± 33.3 884.1 ± 80.7 IL-12 1626.0 ± 58.5  906.2 ± 66.0 1321.2 ± 92.4 297.7 ± 16.4 Interferon-γ 14.1 ± 19.6 1016.0 ± 25.6  1688.2 ± 15.8 470.5 ± 38.6 unit: pg/ml

It is confirmed that the hardy kiwifit extract can prevent and improve allergic disease by increasing Th1 cytokines as well as decreasing Th2 cytokines specifically, while dexamethasone suppresses the whole immune system.

Experimental Example 3 Down Regulation of Th1/Th2 Cytokines in Human PBMC

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were prepared with Ficoll-hypaque from the whole blood of an allergy patient having a high basal serum level of IgE and cultured in RPMI media with 10% FBS. PBMCs were treated together with the hardy kiwifruit extract (at 100 μg/ml) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA, at 5 μg/ml), a commonly used lectin with an immune stimulating effect, and cultured at 5% CO₂ and 37° C. Forty-eight hours later, the level of IL-5, IL-13, IL10 and Interferon-γ in cell culture supernatant was measured using ELISA.

Table 6 shows that the hardy kiwifruit extract significantly reduced the serum level of Th2 cytokines: the levels of IL-5 and IL-13 were reduced by 52% and 47%, respectively, whereas the serum level of Interferon-γ, a Th1 cytokine, was increased by 3.2 folds. This result suggested that hardy kiwifruit extract could increase the level of Th1 cytokines, while simultaneously decreasing the level of Th2 cytokines. It has been previously reported that down-regulation of Th2 cytokines could contribute to the alleviation of IgE synthesis and allergic inflammation. TABLE 6 PHA stimulation Treatment IL-5 IL-13 IL-10 Interferon-γ − — 92.2 ± 6.4  0 ± 0  0 ± 0 53.3 ± 30.2 + Medium  518.1 ± 120.3 667.8 ± 46.5 480.3 ± 15.3 334.1 ± 277.7 + Hardy 248.5 ± 62.0 355.7 ± 93.1 570.2 ± 56.3  1067 ± 345.1 kiwifruit extract unit: pg/ml

Expedmental Example 4 Reduction of the Human Serum Level of IgE

To test whether hardy kiwifruit extract reduces the serum level of IgE in humans or not, two allergy patients (Patients K and E with allergic rhinitis and allergic dermatitis, respectively, showing high basal serum levels of IgE) were orally administered with hardy kiwifruit extract (1 g in dry weight) on a daily basis over a 21-day period, and their serum levels of IgE were measured every two weeks by ELISA method.

At the result of experiment, it was shown that the serum levels of IgE in the two patients were reduced continuously by ⅔ after 42 days and the dermatitis symptom of patient E were also improved during the period of experiment (See Table 7). TABLE 7 1 day 14 day 28 day 42 day Patient K 950.8 IU/ml 855.6 IU/ml 679.1 IU/ml 266.1 IU/ml Patient E 278.3 IU/ml 236.0 IU/ml 189.2 IU/ml  95.0 IU/ml

Experimental Example 5 Inhibition of Histamine Release from Mice Peritoneal Mast Cells

The release of histamine from mast cells is one of the major causes of allergic reactions. Therefore, the effects of hardy kiwifruit extract were tested on histamine release from mast cells.

Each mouse was anesthetized with ether, and injected with 20 ml of Tyrode buffer B (NaCl, glucose, NaHCO₃, KCl, NaH₂PO₄) containing 0.1% gelatin into the peritoneal cavity; then the abdomen was gently massaged for about 90 seconds. The peritoneal cavity was carefully opened, and the fluid containing peritoneal cells was aspirated by pasteur pipette. The peritoneal cells were then sedimented at 150×g for 10 min. at room temperature and resuspended in Tyrode buffer B. Mast cells were separated from the major components of rat peritoneal cells as described in the literature (Yurt et al., J Exp Med., 1;146(5), pp 1405-19, 1977). Peritoneal cells suspended in 1 ml of Tyrode buffer B were layered onto 2 ml of 0.225 g/ml metrizamide (density 1.120 g/ml) and centrifuged at room temperature for 15 min at 400×g. The cells remaining at the buffer-metrizamide interface were aspirated and discarded; the cells in the pellet were washed and resuspended in 1 ml of Tyrode buffer A containing calcium. Splenocytes were seeded into 24-well culture plates (2×10⁵ cells/well) in 0.4 ml medium for each well. Cells were incubated overnight at 37° C. and sensitized with 0.5 μg/ml of anti-DNP₂₄-BSA IgE. After sensitizing the cells with IgE, the medium was removed, and the cells were washed twice with 0.5 ml of PIPES buffer and preincubated with either 200 μl of PIPES buffer (as control), Cromolyn (10⁻⁴ M) or hardy kiwifruit extract (100 μg/ml) at 37° C. for 10 min. Mast cells were stimulated with 20 ng/ml of DNP₂₄-BSA as an antigen for 30 min., and histamine released into the medium was measured by ELISA (ALerCHEK). Inhibition of histamine release was calculated as following empirical formula 1; Percent inhibition=100×(A−B)/(A−C)  [Empirical Formula 1]

-   -   A: Stimulated level (Histamine release with IgE-stimulation).     -   B: Suppressed level (Histamine release with IgE-stimulation and         drug treatment).     -   C: Basal level (Histamine release without IgE-stimulation)

Table 8 indicates that the hardy kiwifruit extract inhibited histamine release by approximately 44% at 100 μg/ml, and it was effective as much as Cromolyn used as a positive control. TABLE 8 Treatment Cromolyn Hardy kiwifruit Inhibition (%) 52 ± 13 44 ± 10

Experimental Example 6

Anti-inflammatory Effects on Edema Induced by Arachidonic Acid in the Ears of Mice

15 mice (8 week old male BALB/c) were fasted for 18 hours with free access to water and divided into 3 groups. Inflammation was induced by topical application of arachidonic acid (0.5 mg/20 μl acetone) to the right ear of each mouse. The left ear was used as a negative control and received the vehicle (20 μl acetone). The hardy kiwifruit extract (200 mg/kg in water) was administered p.o. 1 hour prior to arachidonic acid application. The positive control group received indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) 1 hour before arachidonic acid application. Inflammation was followed for 1 hour and thereafter the animals were sacrificed. A section of 6 mm diameter disc from each ear was obtained and weighed. The edema index was assessed using the increase in the weight of the treated right ear punch biopsy over that of the untreated left ear. The edema index of the control mice that did not receive any treatment was 7.2±1.1 mg. However, when animals were treated with the hardy kiwifruit extract, the index was decreased by 62.5% to 2.7±0.8 mg. The ear treated with indomethacin as a positive control showed 81.9% decrease in edema index compared to the untreated ear (See Table 9).

This data suggested that the hardy kiwifruits had anti-inflammatory activity comparable to indomethacin in this experimental model. TABLE 9 Treatment Index of edema Inhibition rate (%) Control 7.2 ± 1.1 — Hardy kiwifruit 2.7 ± 0.8 62.5 extract Indomethacin 1.3 ± 0.3 81.9

Experimental Example 7

Experiment of Mouse Model with Allergic Dermatitis

To confirm anti-allergic effect of hardy kiwifruit extract in animals, Nc/Nga mouse model that has been widely used as an animal model for human atopic dermatitis study was employed. Nc/Nga mouse has suppressed Th1 immunity because of it's genetic character, i.e., low level of interferon-γ production and consequently, Th2 immunity becomes dominant, which predisposes Nc/Nga mouse to allergic disease, notably atopic dermatitis under normal circumstance (Vestergaar C H et al., J. Clin. Invest., 104, pp 1097-1105, 1999).

For experiment, 15 of Nc/Nga mice (7 weeks after birth, female) were divided into 3 groups and adapted to new circumstance for 1 week. Since 8 weeks after birth, the hardy kiwifruit extract (300 μg/mouse/day) prepared in example 1-1 as a treatment group had been orally administered and dexamethasone (10 μg/mouse/day) or drinking water (100 μg/mouse/day) as control groups had been orally administered for 8 weeks. To compare the progress of dermatitis symptom, the scratching frequency of mouse (the time spent scratching during 20 min-observation) was measured when mice is grown at the age of 12 and 14 weeks. 16 weeks old mouse was sacrificed and the quantity of IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a level in serum were measured by ELISA method. Also, to compare the production of Th1/Th2 cytokines, splenocyte was prepared by conventional method from each mouse, transferred into 24-well plate (5×10⁶ cells/ml/well) and incubated with ConA (1 μg/ml) for 3 days and then the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-12, and Interferon-γ were measured by ELISA method.

It was confirmed that the hardy kiwifruit extract repressed itching symptom as much as dexamethasone, a steroidal antiphlogistic agent, when the frequency of scratching was measured (See FIG. 2 a: the result of 12 weeks after birth, FIG. 2 b: the result of 14 weeks after birth).

Table 10 shows that the serum level of IgE of the hardy kiwifruit extract-administered mouse was reduced remarkably.

In the Table 11, the production of IL-4 and IL-5 was decreased and the production of interferon-γ and IL-12 was increased obviously in the splenocytes, which were prepared from the hardy kiwifruit extract-administered mouse. The hardy kiwifruit extract improved itching symptom, lowered IgE concentration in serum, and repressed the Th2 cytokine production by splenocytes (similarly with dexamnethasone), but unlike dexamethasone, the hardy kiwifruit extract increased significantly IL-12 and interferon-γ level, which have been well known to contribute to alleviation of allergic diseases. TABLE 10 IgE IgG1 IgG2a Drinking water 1572.9 ± 77.4  242.2 ± 14.2 177.5 ± 17.2 Hardy kiwifruit 699.0 ± 348.5 263.4 ± 21.1 263.5 ± 16.2 extract Dexamethasone 130.0 ± 55.3  247.3 ± 10.8 148.0 ± 14.8 unit: pg/ml

TABLE 11 IL-4 IL-5 IL-12 Interferon-γ Drinking water 151.9 ± 2.2 778.3 ± 34.1 1925.7 ± 134.5 10407.5 ± 130.8 Hardy kiwifruit  24.1 ± 5.2 248.0 ± 17.8 2346.2 ± 98.4 15847.9 ± 1693.1 extract Dexamethasone  42.7 ± 19.4 646.5 ± 51.7  201.2 ± 12.1 10096.4 ± 192.4 unit: pg/ml

Experimental Example 8 Toxicity Test

To examine the toxicity of the hardy kiwifruit extract, repetitive toxicity tests were performed on mouse.

The 10 female of Balb/c mice were divided into 2 groups and the inventive hardy kiwifruit extract (150 mg/kg) was administered to the mice at 150 mg/kg for 4 weeks and water was administered to the control group. The symptom of toxicity was observed for 4 weeks such as the change of weight, the hematological analysis and histological test.

As a result of experiment, there was no death example of the mice administered with 150 mg/kg inventive hardy kiwifruit and there was no significant abnormality in the gain of weight, the caloric intake of feed, the hematological analysis or the histological test etc. In accordance with above results, it was confirmed that the hardy kiwifruit was safe.

-   -   (1) Weight and behavior observation: the unusual change of         weight or behavior was not observed.     -   (2) Hematological analysis: No abnormal symptom was observed in         the number of WBC, lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil,         basophil, RBC, hemoglobin or platelet.     -   (3) Serum biochemical test: No abnormal symptom was observed in         the level of AST, ALT, LDH, bilirubin, creatinine, glucose,         cholesterol, minerals, albumin, BUN, lipase or amylase of serum.     -   (4) Histological test: No abnormal symptom was observed in the         tissue of kidneys, the spleen, the liver or the thymus.

Hereinafter, the formulating methods and kinds of excipients will be described, but the present invention is not limited to them. The representative preparation examples were described as follows. Preparation of injection Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1  50 mg Sodium metadisulfite 3.0 mg Methylparaben 0.8 mg Propylparaben 0.1 mg Distilled water for injection optimum amount

Injection preparation was prepared by mixing above components and making 2 ml by the conventional method and then filing filling all the components 2 ml ample and sterilizing by conventional injection preparation method. Preparation of tablet Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1  50 mg Corn Starch 100 mg Lactose 100 mg Magnesium Stearate  2 mg

Tablet preparation was prepared by mixing above components and entabletting. Preparation of capsule Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1 100 mg Corn starch 100 mg Lactose 100 mg Talc  2 mg Magnesium Stearate optimum amount

Tablet preparation was prepared by mixing above components and filling gelatin capsule by conventional gelatin preparation method. Preparation of liquid The hardy kiwifruit 70% ethanol extract  100 mg Sugar 20 g Fructose 20 g Lemon flavour optimum amount Distilled water 100 ml

Liquid preparation was prepared by mixing above components and then filling 100 ml brown bottle sterilizing by conventional liquid preparation method. Preparation of health care food Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1 1000 mg Vitamin mixture 20 g Vitamin A acetate 70 μg Vitamin E 1.0 mg Vitamin B₁ 0.13 mg Vitamin B₂ 0.15 mg Vitamin B6 0.5 mg Vitamin B12 0.2 μg Vitamin C 10 mg Biotin 10 μg Amide nicotinic acid 1.7 mg Folic acid 50 μg Calcium pantothenic acid 0.5 mg Mineral mixture optimum amount Ferrous sulfate 1.75 mg Zinc oxide 0.82 mg Magnesium carbonate 25.3 mg Monopotassium phosphate 15 mg Dicalcium phosphate 55 mg Potassium citrate 90 mg Calcium carbonates 100 mg Magnesium chloride 24.8 mg

The above-mentioned vitamin and mineral mixture may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Preparation of health beverage Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1 1000 mg Citric acid 100 mg Oligosaccharide 100 g Apricot concentration 2 g Taurine 1 g Distilled water 900 ml

Health beverage preparation was prepared by dissolving active component, mixing, stirred at 85° C. for 1 hour, filtered and then filling all the components in 2000 ml ample and sterilizing by conventional health beverage preparation method. Preparation of skin lotion Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1 1.00(%) Glycerol 3.00 Ethanol 1.00 Propylene glycol 0.10 Flavour trace amount Distilled water made to 100%

Skin preparation was prepared by dissolving active component according to conventional lotion preparation method. Preparation of lotion Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1 3.00(%) L-ascorbic acid-2-magnesium phosphate 1.00 Soluble collagen (1% solution) 1.00 Sodium citric acid 0.10 Citric acid 0.05 1,3-butylene glycol 3.00 Distilled water made to 100%

Lotion preparation was prepared by dissolving active component according to conventional lotion preparation method. Preparation of cream Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1 3.00(%) Polyethyleneglycomonosterate 2.00 Monostearate glycerin 1.00 Cetyl alcohol 4.00 Squalene 6.00 Tri 2-glyceryl ethylhexanoate 6.00 Sphingo-glycolipid 1.00 1,3-butylene glycol 7.00 Distilled water made to 100%

Preparation of pack Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1   5.00(%) Polyvinyl alcohol 13.00  L-ascorbic acid-2-magnesium phosphate 1.00 Lauroylhydroxyproline 1.00 Soluble collagen (1% solution) 2.00 1,3-butylene glycol 3.00 Ethanol 5.00 Distilled water made to 100%

Pack preparation was prepared by dissolving active component according to conventional pack preparation method. Preparation of beauty solution Hardy kiwifruit water extract of Example 1   2.00(%) Hydroxyethylenecellulose (2% solution) 12.00  Xanthin gum (2% solution) 2.00 1,3-butylene glycol 3.00 Conc. Glycerin 4.00 Sodium hyaluronate 5.00 Distilled water made to 100%

Beauty solution preparation was prepared by dissolving active component according to conventional beauty solution preparation method.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described in the present invention, an extract of the hardy kiwifruit extract prepared by inventive preparation increase serum levels of Th1 cytokines and IgG2a, reduce serum levels of Th2 cytokines and IgE, inhibits histamine release from mast cells, and suppresses inflammatory reaction. According to this, the hardy kiwifruit can be used as a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases, such as anaphylaxis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergies and urticaria and non-allergic inflammation disease.

Furthermore, an extract of the hardy kiwifruit extract can be used as a composition of healthy food for the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases, such as anaphylaxis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dernatitis, food allergies and urticaria and non-allergic inflammation disease. 

1-37. (canceled)
 38. A method to regulate an immune response in a mammal, comprising administering a hardy kiwifruit preparation to the mammal in an amount sufficient to regulate an immune response in the mammal.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is provided in an amount sufficient to regulate a Th2 and a Th1 immune response in the mammal.
 40. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is provided in an amount sufficient to regulate the amount of an antibody isotype produced by the mammal selected from the group consisting of IgE, IgG2a, and IgG1.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is provided in an amount sufficient to decrease the production and/or levels of at least one Th2 cytokine in the mammal or to increase the level of at least one Th1 cytokine in the mammal.
 42. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is provided in an amount sufficient to decrease the level of expression of a transcription factor in the mammal.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the transcription factor is selected from the group consisting of: GATA-3 and NFATc2.
 44. The method of claim 38, wherein the mammal has or is at risk of developing a condition in which enhancement of a Th1 response and/or suppression of a Th2 response is desirable.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the mammal has or is at risk of developing an allergic disease or non-allergic inflammatory disease.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the allergic disease is selected from the group consisting of: asthma and dermatitis.
 47. The method of claim 44, wherein the mammal has or is at risk of developing a viral infection.
 48. The method of claim 44, wherein the mammal has or is at risk of developing a cancer.
 49. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit is selected from the group consisting of: Actinidia arguta, Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia polygama.
 50. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit is Actinidia arguta.
 51. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is an extract or concentrate prepared from a part of the hardy kiwifruit selected from the group consisting of: the leaf, the stem, the root, and any combination thereof.
 52. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is selected from the group consisting of: fresh fruit, crushed fruit, boiled fruit, cooked fruit, pressed fruit, and condensed fruit.
 53. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit is dried fruit.
 54. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is produced by a method that includes a step of drying the fruit.
 55. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is a hardy kiwifruit juice concentrate.
 56. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is produced by extraction of fruit in water having a temperature of between 0° C and about 80° C.
 57. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is produced by extraction of fruit in room temperature water.
 58. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is produced by direct extraction of a water soluble concentrate of hardy kiwifruit with ethyl acetate.
 59. The method of claim 38, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is provided in a composition in an amount of between about 0.01% and about 95% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
 60. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of administering comprises administering the hardy kiwifruit preparation with a carrier, adjuvant, or diluent to the mammal.
 61. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of administering comprises providing the hardy kiwifruit preparation to the mammal as a tablet, a powder, a capsule, a liquid, a suspension, a granule or a syrup.
 62. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of administering comprises providing the hardy kiwifruit preparation to the mammal in a health food.
 63. The method of claim 62, wherein the health food is selected from the group consisting of: bread, breakfast cereals, processed cheese, unprocessed cheese, dairy products, carbonated drinks, teas, processed fish products, fruit-based drinks, vegetable-based drinks, chewing gum, hard confectionery, frozen dairy products, processed meat products, chocolate, cookies, candy, licorice, ice creams, dehydrated foods, cut food products, spices, alcoholic beverages, noodles, fermented foods, and vegetable-based drinks.
 64. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of administering comprises applying a cosmetic composition comprising the hardy kiwifruit preparation to the mammal.
 65. The method of claim 64, wherein the cosmetic composition is provided in a form selected from the group consisting of: lotion, cream, essence, toner, emulsion, pack, soap, shampoo, rinse, cleanser, body washing solution, washing solution or treatment.
 66. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of administering comprises providing the hardy kiwifruit preparation to the mammal in a food additive.
 67. The method of claim 38, further comprising administering to the mammal an agent selected from the group consisting of: organic acids; small organic compounds; carbohydrates; steroids; herbal preparations; spices; minerals; sterilizers; seasonings; vitamins; and electrolytes.
 68. The method of claim 38, further comprising administering to the mammal an agent selected from the group consisting of taurine, fatty acids and fatty acid esters.
 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the fatty acids and fatty acid esters are selected from the group consisting of: glyceryl tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, isopropyl myristic acid, butyl myristic acid, isopropyl palmitic acid, ethyl stearic acid, octyl palmitic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, butyl stearic acid, ethyl linoleic acid, isopropyl linoleic acid, ethyl oleic acid, isocetyl myristic acid, isostearyl myristic acid, isostearyl palmitic acid, octyldodecyl myristic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, diethyl sebasic acid, isopropyl adipic acid, isoalkyl neopetanoic acid, glyceryl tri(capryl, capric acid), trimethylopropane tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, trimethylopropane triisostearic acid, pentaerythritol tetra-2 ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl caprylic acid, decyl lauric acid, hexyl lauric acid, decyl myristic acid, myristyl myristic acid, cetyl myristic acid, stearyl stearic acid, decyl oleic acid, cetyl licinoleic acid, isostearyl lauric acid, isotridecyl myristic acid, isocetyl palmitic acid, octyl stearic acid, isocetyl stearic acid, isodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl linoleic acid, isopropyl isostearic acid, cetostearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, stearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, hexyl isostearic acid, ethylene glycol dioctanoic acid, ethylene glycol dioleic acid, propylene glycol dicapric acid, propylene glycol di(capryl, capric acid), propylene glycol dicaprylic acid, neopentylglycol dicapric acid, neopentylglycol dioctanoic acid, glyceryl tricaprylic acid, glyceryl triundecylic acid, glyceryl triisopalmitic acid, glyceryl triisostearic acid, octyldodecyl neopentanoic acid, isostearyl octanoic acid, octyl isononanoic acid, hexyldecyl neodecanoic acid, octyldodecyl neodecanoic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, isostearyl isostearic acid, octyldecyl isostearic acid, polyglycerin oleanoic acid ester, polyglycerin isostearic acid ester, triisocetyl citric acid, triisoalkyl citric acid, triisooctyl citric acid, lauryl lactic acid, myristyl lactic acid, cetyl lactic acid, octyldecyl lactic acid, triethyl citric acid, acetyltriethyl citric acid, acetyl tributyl citric acid, trioctyl citric acid, diisostearyl maleic acid, di 2-ethylhexyl hydroxy stearic acid, 2-ethyl hexyl succinic acid, diisobutyl adipic acid, diisopropyl sebasinic acid, dioctyl sebacinic acid, cholesteryl stearic acid, cholesteryl isostearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl oleic acid, dihydrocholesteryl oleic acid, pitsteryl isostearic acid, pitsteryl oleic acid, isocetyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, stearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, isostearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid.
 70. The method of claim 38, further comprising administering to the mammal a different Actinidia species preparation.
 71. The method of claim 70, wherein the different Actinidia species is selected from the group consisting of: A. chenensis, A. deliciosa , A. arguta, A. polygama, and A. kolomikta.
 72. A composition for regulating an immune response in a mammal, comprising a hardy kiwifruit preparation and at least one additional active compound for regulating an immune response in a mammal.
 73. The composition of claim 72, wherein the additional active compound is for treating or preventing allergic disease in a mammal.
 74. The composition of claim 72, wherein the additional active compound is selected from a group consisting of steroids.
 75. The composition of claim 72, wherein the additional active compound is selected from the group consisting of: citric acid; fumaric acid; steroids; linear peptides; carbohydrates; herbal preparations; spices; minerals; sterilizers; seasonings; vitamins; and electrolytes.
 76. The composition of claim 72, wherein the additional active compound is selected from the group consisting of taurine, fatty acids and fatty acid esters.
 77. The composition of claim 76, wherein the fatty acids and fatty acid esters are selected from the group consisting of: glyceryl tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, isopropyl myristic acid, butyl myristic acid, isopropyl palmitic acid, ethyl stearic acid, octyl palmitic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, butyl stearic acid, ethyl linoleic acid, isopropyl linoleic acid, ethyl oleic acid, isocetyl myristic acid, isostearyl myristic acid, isostearyl palmitic acid, octyldodecyl myristic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, diethyl sebasic acid, isopropyl adipic acid, isoalkyl neopetanoic acid, glyceryl tri(capryl, capric acid), trimethylopropane tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, trimethylopropane triisostearic acid, pentaerythritol tetra-2 ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl caprylic acid, decyl lauric acid, hexyl lauric acid, decyl myristic acid, myristyl myristic acid, cetyl myristic acid, stearyl stearic acid, decyl oleic acid, cetyl licinoleic acid, isostearyl lauric acid, isotridecyl myristic acid, isocetyl palmitic acid, octyl stearic acid, isocetyl stearic acid, isodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl linoleic acid, isopropyl isostearic acid, cetostearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, stearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, hexyl isostearic acid, ethylene glycol dioctanoic acid, ethylene glycol dioleic acid, propylene glycol dicapric acid, propylene glycol di(capryl, capric acid), propylene glycol dicaprylic acid, neopentylglycol dicapric acid, neopentylglycol dioctanoic acid, glyceryl tricaprylic acid, glyceryl triundecylic acid, glyceryl triisopalmitic acid, glyceryl triisostearic acid, octyldodecyl neopentanoic acid, isostearyl octanoic acid, octyl isononanoic acid, hexyldecyl neodecanoic acid, octyldodecyl neodecanoic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, isostearyl isostearic acid, octyldecyl isostearic acid, polyglycerin oleanoic acid ester, polyglycerin isostearic acid ester, triisocetyl citric acid, triisoalkyl citric acid, triisooctyl citric acid, lauryl lactic acid, myristyl lactic acid, cetyl lactic acid, octyldecyl lactic acid, triethyl citric acid, acetyltriethyl citric acid, acetyl tributyl citric acid, trioctyl citric acid, diisostearyl maleic acid, di 2-ethylhexyl hydroxy stearic acid, 2-ethyl hexyl succinic acid, diisobutyl adipic acid, diisopropyl sebasinic acid, dioctyl sebacinic acid, cholesteryl stearic acid, cholesteryl isostearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl oleic acid, dihydrocholesteryl oleic acid, pitsteryl isostearic acid, pitsteryl oleic acid, isocetyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, stearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, isostearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid.
 78. The composition of claim 72, wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of: a pharmaceutical composition, a health food, a food additive, and a cosmetic.
 79. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit is selected from the group consisting of: Actinidia arguta, Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia polygama.
 80. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit is Actinidia arguta.
 81. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is an extract or concentrate prepared from a part of the hardy kiwifruit selected from the group consisting of: the fruit, the leaf, the stem, the root, and any combination thereof.
 82. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit is selected from the group consisting of: fresh fruit, crushed fruit, boiled fruit, cooked fruit, pressed fruit, and condensed fruit.
 83. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit is dried fruit.
 84. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is produced by a method that includes a step of drying the fruit.
 85. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is a hardy kiwifruit juice concentrate.
 86. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is produced by extraction of fruit in water having a temperature of between 0° C. and about 80° C.
 87. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is produced by extraction of fruit in room temperature water.
 88. The composition of claim 72, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is produced by direct extraction of a water soluble concentrate of hardy kiwifruit with ethyl acetate.
 89. The composition of claim 72, wherein the extract is prepared by extraction of hardy kiwifruit in distilled water.
 90. The composition of claim 72, wherein the extract is an ethyl acetate extract of the hardy kiwifruit.
 91. A method to treat a disease or condition that is associated with dysregulation of immune function, comprising administering to a mammal a combination of hardy kiwifruit or a preparation thereof and an agent selected from the group consisting of: steroids; fatty acids and fatty acid esters.
 92. The method of claim 91, wherein the fatty acids and fatty acid esters are selected from the group consisting of: glyceryl tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, isopropyl myristic acid, butyl myristic acid, isopropyl palmitic acid, ethyl stearic acid, octyl palmitic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, butyl stearic acid, ethyl linoleic acid, isopropyl linoleic acid, ethyl oleic acid, isocetyl myristic acid, isostearyl myristic acid, isostearyl palmitic acid, octyldodecyl myristic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, diethyl sebasic acid, isopropyl adipic acid, isoalkyl neopetanoic acid, glyceryl tri(capryl, capric acid), trimethylopropane tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, trimethylopropane triisostearic acid, pentaerythritol tetra-2 ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl caprylic acid, decyl lauric acid, hexyl lauric acid, decyl myristic acid, myristyl myristic acid, cetyl myristic acid, stearyl stearic acid, decyl oleic acid, cetyl licinoleic acid, isostearyl lauric acid, isotridecyl myristic acid, isocetyl palmitic acid, octyl stearic acid, isocetyl stearic acid, isodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl linoleic acid, isopropyl isostearic acid, cetostearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, stearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, hexyl isostearic acid, ethylene glycol dioctanoic acid, ethylene glycol dioleic acid, propylene glycol dicapric acid, propylene glycol di(capryl, capric acid), propylene glycol dicaprylic acid, neopentylglycol dicapric acid, neopentylglycol dioctanoic acid, glyceryl tricaprylic acid, glyceryl triundecylic acid, glyceryl triisopalmitic acid, glyceryl triisostearic acid, octyldodecyl neopentanoic acid, isostearyl octanoic acid, octyl isononanoic acid, hexyldecyl neodecanoic acid, octyldodecyl neodecanoic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, isostearyl isostearic acid, octyldecyl isostearic acid, polyglycerin oleanoic acid ester, polyglycerin isostearic acid ester, triisocetyl citric acid, triisoalkyl citric acid, triisooctyl citric acid, lauryl lactic acid, myristyl lactic acid, cetyl lactic acid, octyldecyl lactic acid, triethyl citric acid, acetyltriethyl citric acid, acetyl tributyl citric acid, trioctyl citric acid, diisostearyl maleic acid, di 2-ethylhexyl hydroxy stearic acid, 2-ethyl hexyl succinic acid, diisobutyl adipic acid, diisopropyl sebasinic acid, dioctyl sebacinic acid, cholesteryl stearic acid, cholesteryl isostearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl oleic acid, dihydrocholesteryl oleic acid, pitsteryl isostearic acid, pitsteryl oleic acid, isocetyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, stearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, isostearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid.
 93. The method of claim 91, wherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of: atopic dermatitis, asthma, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and chronic urticaria.
 94. The method of claim 91, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is selected from the group consisting of: a fruit extract or concentrate, a leaf extract or concentrate, a stem extract or concentrate, or concentrate, a root extract or concentrate, fresh fruit, crushed fruit, boiled fruit, cooked fruit, pressed fruit, condensed fruit, dried fruit, a hardy kiwifruit juice concentrate, a preparation produced by extraction of fruit in water having a temperature of from 0° C. to about 80° C.; a preparation produced by direct extraction of a water soluble concentrate of hardy kiwifruit with ethyl acetate, a preparation produced by extraction of hardy kiwifruit in distilled water, and a preparation produced by sequential extraction of hardy kiwifruit in water, chloroform and ethyl acetate.
 95. A method to treat a disease or condition that is associated with dysregulation of immune function, comprising administering to a mammal a combination of a hardy kiwifruit or a preparation thereof and an agent selected from the group consisting of: fatty acids; citric acid; fumaric acid; steroids; linear peptides; carbohydrates; herbal preparations; spices; minerals; sterilizers; seasonings; vitamins; and electrolytes.
 96. The method of claim 95, wherein the fatty acids and fatty acid esters are selected from the group consisting of: glyceryl tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, isopropyl myristic acid, butyl myristic acid, isopropyl palmitic acid, ethyl stearic acid, octyl palmitic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, butyl stearic acid, ethyl linoleic acid, isopropyl linoleic acid, ethyl oleic acid, isocetyl myristic acid, isostearyl myristic acid, isostearyl palmitic acid, octyldodecyl myristic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, diethyl sebasic acid, isopropyl adipic acid, isoalkyl neopetanoic acid, glyceryl tri(capryl, capric acid), trimethylopropane tri-2-ethyl hexanoic acid, trimethylopropane triisostearic acid, pentaerythritol tetra-2 ethyl hexanoic acid, cetyl caprylic acid, decyl lauric acid, hexyl lauric acid, decyl myristic acid, myristyl myristic acid, cetyl myristic acid, stearyl stearic acid, decyl oleic acid, cetyl licinoleic acid, isostearyl lauric acid, isotridecyl myristic acid, isocetyl palmitic acid, octyl stearic acid, isocetyl stearic acid, isodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl oleic acid, octyldodecyl linoleic acid, isopropyl isostearic acid, cetostearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, stearyl 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, hexyl isostearic acid, ethylene glycol dioctanoic acid, ethylene glycol dioleic acid, propylene glycol dicapric acid, propylene glycol di(capryl, capric acid), propylene glycol dicaprylic acid, neopentylglycol dicapric acid, neopentylglycol dioctanoic acid, glyceryl tricaprylic acid, glyceryl triundecylic acid, glyceryl triisopalmitic acid, glyceryl triisostearic acid, octyldodecyl neopentanoic acid, isostearyl octanoic acid, octyl isononanoic acid, hexyldecyl neodecanoic acid, octyldodecyl neodecanoic acid, isocetyl isostearic acid, isostearyl isostearic acid, octyldecyl isostearic acid, polyglycerin oleanoic acid ester, polyglycerin isostearic acid ester, triisocetyl citric acid, triisoalkyl citric acid, triisooctyl citric acid, lauryl lactic acid, myristyl lactic acid, cetyl lactic acid, octyldecyl lactic acid, triethyl citric acid, acetyltriethyl citric acid, acetyl tributyl citric acid, trioctyl citric acid, diisostearyl maleic acid, di 2-ethylhexyl hydroxy stearic acid, 2-ethyl hexyl succinic acid, diisobutyl adipic acid, diisopropyl sebasinic acid, dioctyl sebacinic acid, cholesteryl stearic acid, cholesteryl isostearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl hydroxy stearic acid, cholesteryl oleic acid, dihydrocholesteryl oleic acid, pitsteryl isostearic acid, pitsteryl oleic acid, isocetyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, stearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid, isostearyl 12-stealoyl hydroxy stearic acid.
 97. The method of claim 95, wherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of: atopic dermatitis, asthma, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and chronic urticaria.
 98. The method of claim 95, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is selected from the group consisting of: a fruit extract or concentrate, a leaf extract or concentrate, a stem extract or concentrate, a root extract or concentrate, fresh fruit, crushed fruit, boiled fruit, cooked fruit, pressed fruit, condensed fruit, dried fruit, a hardy kiwifruit juice concentrate, a preparation produced by extraction of fruit in water having a temperature of from 0° C. to about 80° C.; a preparation produced by direct extraction of a water soluble concentrate of hardy kiwifruit with ethyl acetate, a preparation produced by extraction of hardy kiwifruit in distilled water, and a preparation produced by sequential extraction in water, chloroform and ethyl acetate.
 99. A method to treat a disease or condition that is associated with dysregulation of immune function, comprising administering to a mammal a combination of hardy kiwifruit or a preparation thereof and an agent selected from the group consisting of: taurine; fatty acids and fatty acid esters.
 100. The method of claim 99, wherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of: atopic dermatitis, asthma, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and chronic urticaria.
 101. The method of claim 99, wherein the hardy kiwifruit preparation is selected from the group consisting of: a fruit extract or concentrate, a leaf extract or concentrate, a stem extract or concentrate, a root extract or concentrate, fresh fruit, crushed fruit, boiled fruit, cooked fruit, pressed fruit, condensed fruit, dried fruit, a hardy kiwifruit juice concentrate, a preparation produced by extraction of fruit in water having a temperature of from 0° C. to about 80° C.; a preparation produced by direct extraction of a water soluble concentrate of hardy kiwifruit with ethyl acetate, a preparation produced by extraction of hardy kiwifruit in distilled water, and a preparation produced by sequential extraction in water, chloroform and ethyl acetate. 